|
With rising unemployment rates menacing the job
prospects of many youth, the inaugural consortium of Youth Entrepreneurs
Trade Show on Friday, Dec. 4, will provide a glimpse at how California
State University, Fresno and partners are helping them think outside the
box and create their own success.
The event, which is free and open to the public, will include text
messaging, karaoke and bubble gum-blowing competitions to help motivate
young entrepreneurs who also will learn how to sustain a business. The
show begins at 8:30 a.m. and will be held at Arte Americas (1630 Van
Ness Ave. in downtown Fresno).
It is presented by the Lyles Center for Innovation and Entrepreneurship
at Fresno State and the Central California Adolescent Development Corp.,
whose programs encourage tomorrow’s business leaders.
“Right now we are experiencing the highest unemployment rate in
decades,” Senegal said. “Our youth will soon be entering this staggering
and competitive workforce. We must promote entrepreneurship and get kids
thinking out of the box about how they can make money for themselves.”
During lunch, the Youth Pioneer Hall of Fame Awards will be presented to
John Shegerian of Electronic Recyclers; Nicole Giordano, Y101 radio
personality and former host for CW 59; Steve Geil of the Economic
Development Corp.; Pastor Shane Scott of Saints Rest Baptist Church;
Keith Kelley of the Fresno West Coalition; Randall Cooper of the Fresno
Parks & Recreation Division (Fresno Best Program); and Ken Blackwood of
Fresno County SCORE, a national association dedicated to helping small
business owners form and grow their businesses.
The awards recognize individuals who have helped cultivate youth
entrepreneurism.
At the trade show, student businesses developed in the two sponsoring
programs will be presented. They include innovative brain games, Web
sites, fashion design and jewelry businesses that will be exhibited for
investors, business professionals, parents and high school and college
students, said Laneesha Senegal, director of the Adolescent Development
Corp.
Informational workshops will help students learn how
to staff a business, provide customer service, understand legal
documents, communicate and network.
For more information, call 559.790.0993 or 559.294.2045 or visit
www.lylescenter.com.
|
